Father Day 1

My son was born on July 4th, 2007. It was an amazing moment in my life obviously. One that I won't forget. While watching Columbus, Ohio's fireworks show on TV on July 3rd, my wife started having contractions. We were prepared for the most part for what was ahead so I wasn't freaking out. That comes later.

We headed to the hospital about 4am on the 4th. Everything was pretty uneventful through the day. My wife was able to sleep after getting some drugs but I was wide awake. Finally at 6:55pm on the 4th, Gabriel was born.

I'd like to say this right now. Thank God for nurses because they were a huge help while we were in the hospital. We had a healthy baby and overall everything was pretty easy. The pediatrician that came into visit us before Gabe came home was a bit insane, but that was it. She told us Gabe had a small curvature to his tailbone which put a small dimple on his lower back. Even to this day, my wife says she can still tell but Gabe has grown out of it and it was an ever a concern even after have a specialist at Children's Hospital look at it. It was a relief to hear, but I was never that concerned.

The day we brought Gabe home was the most terrifying time of my life. The hospital was a piece of cake. The nurses would help us anytime we needed and allowed us to get some rest. So when we got home and realized it was me, my wife Katie, and Gabe alone, we kinda freaked out. We read books, blogs, bought a million diapers and baby proofed the world.  But guess what?  When you walk into your house with a baby and no nurse is there to assist, you panic just a little.

I'm guessing the moms don't as much because they probably read the book on what to do with a baby once it comes. FYI fellas, What To Expect While You're Expecting, is not helpful for you. There is nothing helpful for you to be honest. No book, blog, article, ninja, or a dad of 10, can tell you what is going to happen with your child. You can do prep work. That's about it. But having a 5 year old and my first daughter on my way, I can tell you that everything is different than what anyone tells you.

This is what this is going to be about. I will tell you about my kid(s), wife, my days of stress and joy, and what life is like for this particular father.